Charlotte, NC – September 16, 2004 – The second annual Charlotte Jumper Classic CSI*** scheduled for April 8-10, 2005, at the Charlotte Coliseum in North Carolina, received a big kick-start on September 15 at an evening reception hosted by the Bobcat Charitable Foundation and Robert Johnson.

In a courtyard setting in downtown Charlotte at the Green Uptown – complete with a scaled down version of Grand Prix jumps – guests were greeted by the show’s producer, Eugene Mische, president of Stadium Jumping, Inc., and Athens Olympic Team Silver Medallists McLain Ward and Beezie Madden. Ward and Madden took time out from their busy schedule at the American Gold Cup in Devon, Pennsylvania, to fly into Charlotte for the event. Madden and her mount Judgement, owned by Iron Spring Farm, claimed victory in the inaugural $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte For the Charlotte Bobcats Cup held on April 11, 2004.

Mr. Mische addressed the crowd and announced a 30% increase in prize money for the 2005 Charlotte Jumper Classic with a commitment of one million dollars in prize money in the future. Mr. Johnson announced that his event co-chair Carolyn Clark Morrison has joined the Bobcat Charitable Foundation with a specific focus on the equestrian market in the North Carolina area. Caroline’s mother, Kappy Clark, first brought Grand Prix jumping to Charlotte 25 years ago with the U.S. Jumping Championships.

When Mr. Johnson, owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats and the Charlotte Sting, presented the first Charlotte Jumper Classic in April 2004, he stated, “My goal is make this the pre-eminent jumper show in the country.” His goal was met and in 2005 the Charlotte Jumper Classic will once again bring all the elegance of a first-rate horse show to the Carolinas along with local entertainment and activities for the entire family.

The Charlotte Jumper Classic CSI*** is the signature fund-raising event for the Charlotte Bobcats Charitable Foundation. The foundation offers financial support throughout the community to assist in providing the resources needed to plant seeds of hope in our children and allow them to blossom into tomorrow’s successes. The Foundation’s mission is to enrich the quality of life for those in need – with a focus on children and youth – and building bridges between communities. The Foundation supports organizations serving children and youth with an emphasis on literacy, fitness, wellness and exposure to the arts.

For more information, visit www.CharlotteJumperClassic.com on the web.

To order tickets for the 2005 Charlotte Jumper Classic, visit www.ticketmaster.com or to order by phone, call (704) 522-6500. You can also stop by the Charlotte Coliseum Box Office Monday through Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm.